Shandong Academy of Social Sciences is a comprehensive social science research institution directly under the Shandong Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China. Its predecessor was the Shandong Provincial Institute of Social Sciences established in March 1978 and it was renamed Shandong Academy of Social Sciences in December 1980. Since its establishment, the institute has thoroughly implemented the strategy of establishing the institute through scientific research, developing the institute through talents, strengthening the institute through management, and running the institute in an open manner. It has adhered to the working pattern of "one guide and three creations", meaning "taking party building as the guide, promoting the creation of national civilized units, creation of model institutions, implementing deep integration of innovative projects, and promoting mutual progress". It has focused on constructing a brand of party building and business integration of "all recommendation in a high degree of transparency, strive for innovation on the basis of upholding integrity", creating a highland for Marxist theoretical research and publicity and an important ideological stronghold, an important "think tank" and "brain trust" of the Shandong Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government, and a high-level academic hall of philosophy and social sciences in Shandong Province. The medium and long-term development goal is to strive to build a high-level think tank with local characteristics by 2035.

The institute has 15 scientific research institutions, 2 scientific support institutions, 7 functional departments and 1 national postdoctoral research workstation. As of December 2023, there are 303 employees in the institute, 276 of whom are employed in professional and technical positions, including 154 with senior professional titles and more than 140 with doctorates. There are 3 people selected for the national key talent program, 25 recipients of the State Council's special government allowance, 1 specially appointed expert of the Provincial Decision-making Advisory Committee, 4 experts in the database, and more than 60 recipients of various provincial talent titles such as Taishan Scholars, young and middle-aged experts with outstanding contributions in Shandong Province, and Qilu Cultural Talents.